FAKE NEWS is the cry…
Donald Trump has claimed that his cabinet appointments are being approved slower than the appointments of all the other US presidents.
The Leader of the Free World has been in power just shy of three weeks, but has already created major waves on the world political sea with his controversial immigration ban.
Trump tweeted on Tuesday that it was a “disgrace” his cabinet appointments were being delayed for the longest time in US history. He claimed it was “Obstruction by the Democrats”.
It is a disgrace that my full Cabinet is still not in place, the longest such delay in the history of our country. Obstruction by Democrats!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017
If we take the new President at his word, it does seem like Donald Trump has a point. Why are the Democrats so intent on blocking his path, so much so that they’ve caused the longest delay in cabinet appointments in history?
Well… we can’t take him at his word in this particular instance, as the statement he made is false.
This is not the longest such delay in the history of the US, and it will be quite a few months before Trump can claim that title, although it is slightly slower than some of his predecessors.
Following Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009. it was February 24 before Hilda Solis was confirmed as Labour Secretary.
It was also mid-March before George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton had members of their cabinet approved.
People were quick to point this out about Donald Trump’ tweet…
Nope. Obama, Clinton and George HW Bush all had longer delays for some cabinet positions. https://t.co/rTdfenHX5P
— Mikey Smith (@mikeysmith) February 8, 2017
This is false. Clinton, Bush, AND Obama nominees ALL took longer. https://t.co/htHslBnqEr
— Mx. D. E. Anderson (@diannaeanderson) February 8, 2017
yet another lie. Clinton didn't have Cabinet in place until March 11. Bush Sr was March 17. Obama not till April 28
— Jeremy Wein (@thismyshow) February 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/Cricketsthreads/status/829360302085042178
https://twitter.com/aclement0318/status/829356618806607874
https://twitter.com/kevinsharkey/status/829356538989051905
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge